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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

H. A. A. THORN.

CARTRIDGE GRIMPER. No. 290,370; Patented Dec. 18,1883.

(No Model.) 2 SheetsSheet 2.

H. A. A. THORN.

CARTRIDGE GRIMPER.

Patented Dec. 18, 1883.

name STATES PATENT EricE.

HENRY A. A. THORN, OF LOXDOX, ENGLAND.

CARTRlDGE-CRlMPER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 290,370, dated December 18, 1883.

Application filed August 16, 1883.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY ALFR D ALEX- ANDER Tnoan, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, residing at London, England, have invented new and useful improvements in cri1nping or corrugating and closing metallic eartridgecases, and apparatus therefor, for which I have obtained a patent in Great Britain. No. 161, hearing date J anuary 11, 1883, and sealed March 22, 1883,) of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the construction of an improved apparatus for longitudinally crimping or eorrugating and closing loaded metallic cartridge cases, whereby the crimping or eorrugating and the closing or compressing of the corrugated end of the cartridgecase are etfected in one and the same operation and the wad seated in a better and more expeditious manner than heretofore.

In crimping or corrugating (longitudinally) the ends of metallic cartridge-cases by the apparatus hitherto in use, it has been found nec essary for the proper seating of the wad and fixing of the charge to subsequently compress or close the corrugated end by means of a separate apparatus or appliance; but this operation has been imperfectly effected, as no means have been provided for regulating the amount of the compression. By my improvements these defects are obviated and the cartridgecase is crimped or corrugated and closed in one operation, and the wad properly seated, and therefore the charge held securely.

In carrying out my invention I employ a cylinder having the usualbeveled andinclined studs near the bottom thereof, either formed in the cylinder or on a separate ring fitting into the cylinder; but beyond the said studs I form the cylinder (or the ring) in the form of a hollow cone. I employ a mandrel or plunger of smaller diameter than hitherto,the end thereof being tapered for the purpose hereinafter described, and I provide an adjustingscrew arrangement on the cylinder-bottom for regulating the backward play of the mandrel,

so as to adjust the mandrel to the varying charges contained in the cases. v

In order to enable my invention to be fully understood,I will proceed to describe the same (X0 model.) Patented in England January 11, 1S=3, No. 161.

by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a front elevation, and Fig. 2 a longitudinal section, of an apparatus for crimping or corrugating and closing metallic cartridge-cases constructed according to my improvements, and operated by a lever; Figs. 3 and 4, similar views of a hand apparatus; Fig. 5, elevation of a hand apparatus with a side set-screw for fixing the mandrel; Fig. 6, side elevation, and Fig. 7 end view, of a cartridgecase crimped or corrugated and closed by my improved apparatus.

Similar letters in all the similar parts.

In the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a is the usual cylinder, and b the usual beveled and inclined studs near the bottom thereof, the said studs being formed in a ring, 0, fitting the cylinder a, as shown in the drawings; or they may be formed in the cylinder itself.

(Z is the hollow cone formed in the ring 0, immediately beyond or forming a continuation of the studs 1).

e is the mandrel or plunger, of smaller diameter than hitherto; e, the tapered end of the mandrel, formed with a shoulder at a f is an adjusting-screw which screws in the cap 9 of the cylinder. The mandrel (2 slides in the adjusting-screw f, its backward play being limited by the shoulder 0 coming against the inner end of the adjusting-screwf, so as to allow of adjusting the mandrel to the varying charges contained in theeartridge-cases.

h is the usual lever-handle, pivoted at i, for pressing the cartridge-case into the cylinder at by means of the plate j, which I form convex on its face,and with a longitudinal groove, as shown, so as to prevent it coming in contact with the cap contained in the base of the case, also to prevent damage being done to the base of the case. By this arrangement, if a charged cartridge-case be inserted in the cylinder 11 and pressed in the usual manner by the lever 71, the end of the case will not only be corrugated, as hitherto, by the projecting studs 1), but the end of the case, being also pressed into the hollow cone d, will be compressed or closed over the tapered end 0 of the plunger c,which, by its hereinbefore-described adj ustable-screw figures rep resent in Figs. 8, 4, and 5 the lever h is dispensed with, and

arrangement, can be set to suit the charge contained in the case. By closing the end of the case over the plunger, an opening is always left, through which can be seen the marks on the top or shot wad, as will be seen by reference to Figs. 6 and 7, which show a side and end view, respectively, of a cartridgecase crimped or corrugated and closed by my improved apparatus. I

The hand machine shown in Figs. 3 and 4 is constructed substantially in the same manner as that hereinbefore described, except that that the taper mandrel e is formed on or fixed to the adjusting-screw f or the mandrel may slide in the cap 9 of the apparatus, as shown in Fig. 5, and be fixed or adjusted in any desired position by the setscrew f. A set-screw of this description may also be applied to the ap paratus shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The operation of the hand apparatus shown is the same as that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, except that the cartridge is pressed into the cylinder a by hand instead of by a lever, and the cartridgecase operated on will have the same appearance as those shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

Having thus described my invention and the best means I am acquainted with for carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be understood that what I claim is- 1. In an apparatus for crimping or corrugating and closing metallic cartridges, the combination, with the cylinder at and with the usual beveled and inclined studs, of a hollow cone arranged at the inner end of said cylinder, as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In an apparatus for crimping, corrugating, and closing metallic cartridges, and in combination with a chamber for holding the case, a conical mandrel or plunger and an adjustable screwing device, substantially as shown and described, located in the base of the apparatus,and whereby the mandrel may be set to any desired position for varying charges in the cartridge-cases.

3. The described improved apparatus for crimping or corru gating and closing cartridgecases, consisting of a cartridgesupporting frame, the hollow cone 0 and its inclined studs 1) at the end thereof, cap 9, surrounding the same, and a mandrel borne by the same, and having a tapering end, and provided with an adjusting-screw, all substantially as and for the purposes described.

HENRY A. A. THORN.

\Vitnesses:

G. F. REDFERN, A. ALBUTT. 

